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About Google Book Search Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web at |http : //books . google . com/ Carah Louise Arnold *^ ^ AND GHAi\LES D.GlLBERjr -A f"p/ECOND JilVer, BifflDEH Si Company PublisheHw l^cUJl' Its, 9 7, /^^ \ HARVARD UNIVERSITY LIBRARY OF THE Department of Education COLLECTION OF TEXT-BOOKS Contributed by the Publishers TRANSFERRED TO HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY 3 2044 097 054 662 t>^ 1 THE EAGLE. BY SARAH LOUISE ARNOLD. Supervisor of Schools, Boston^ Mass.: AND CHARLES B. GILBERT, Superintendent of Schools, Newark^ N.J, % g^econti i^ealier. SILVER, BURDETT AND COMPANY, New York . . . BOSTON . . . Chicago. 1^ -^^ FcL^ f 75'^, 91 /S'X Hamrd UnNeraity, Be|PttfEtfiic>tiMUbrw7 TMHSFERRED TO M*PIV«»D COLLEGE LIBRARY Copyright, 18S7, By Silver, Burdett and Company. H. M. PLIMPTON * CO., PRINTERS 4 BINDERS, NORWOOD. MASS., U.8>. PREFACE. THE lessons contained in this book are a product of experience in the schoolroom. They go forth in the hope of rendering some service to teachers and to children alike. Throughout the work, the child's point of view has been kept in mind as well as the teacher's ; and the aim has been to prepare, first of all, a book which children will like to read. Every lesson centers about something in which children are interested. All teachers know that the labor of teaching is lessened when the interest of the pupils is assured. The name of the Series testifies to another aim of the book, — to lead to a love of literature. Many of the stories and poems herein contained will be found again and again by the children in the world's best books. A taste for good things, developed now, will lead the pupils to demand good things when free to choose. The value of these lessons will be greatly enhanced if the teacher reads to the children, in connection with the lessons, such selections as are suggested by the text. Many of Long- fellgw's poems, for example, should be read, and some should be committed to memory, after the lesson on Longfellow. PREFACE. It is hoped that many of the poems will be memorized as well as read by the children. Thus the words, as well as the thought^ become their possession. Nearly every lesson suggests language lessons, which the skillful teacher will readily plan in connection with the reading. For example, a study of the turtle would naturally follow the lesson on " Jack and Joe." The pictures, as well as the lessons, have been carefully prepared or selected with reference to accepted standards and to the children's tastes. They should be studied until some appreciation of their meaning is gained. Artists' names should become as familiar to the children as are the names of poets. Many forms of study have been indicated. The word study should demand thought, and result in added power to do in- dependent work. The language lessons, rhyming exercises, and questions will help to form the habit of study. Attention is called to the script lessons, which present beautiful forms, as well as beautiful thoughts, for copying. They thus possess a double advantage for seat work. Many suggestions for teaching reading will be found in the pages of a " Manual for Teachers," issued by the publishers of these Readers. Grateful acknowledgment is made to Houghton, Mifflin, & Co., Charles Scribner's Sons, Roberts Brothers, and to the Century Company, for permission to use such of their publi- cations as are included in this Reader. • J ^%(PMTE'AIT5 Paob Chicken Little 11 For Study 15 King Midas 16 The Lark's Nest 18 The Blind Man and the Lame Man 20 Word Study 21 A Maid with her Basket of Eggs 22 The Old Love 25 Hero 26 The Fox an© the Grapes ... 30 Study 30 Study 31 The Three Bugs 32 Word Study 34 The Kid and the Wolf ... 35 The Frog that tried to be as BIG AS an Ox 36 The Ant and the Grasshopper 37 Bird Thoughts 39 Playing Store 40 The Boy and the River ... 44 Silent Study ....... 45 Sarah's Penny ....... 46 The Boys and the Frogs ... 50 A Child's Prayer 51 Pagb The Fox and the Crow ... 52 Work for Study Hours ... 53 A Child's Thought 54 Foolish Flies 56 Golden Eggs 57 The Dog and his Image ... 59 Word Study 60 Jack and Joe 61 The Wild Bird's Song .... 64 The Playhouse 65 The Boy and the Nuts ... 67 The Turtle 68 Study 69 The Tortoise and the Eagle . 70 The Wounded Eagle .... 71 Song of the Brook 73 The Three Bears 75 Word Study 79 The Hare and the Hound . . 79 The Crane and the Crows . . 80 The Town Mouse and the Coun- try Mouse 81 For Study 83 Lady Moon .84 The Wind and the Sun ... 85 The Two Buckets 86 The Bright Side 88 vU CONTENTS. Page For Study 89 America 90 Third Stanza of America . . 91 The Bundle of Sticks ... 92 The Water Drops 93 The Children of the Clouds . 94 The Birds* Christmas Tree . 96 A Snow Song 98 For Study • • • 99 The Merchant and his Donkey 100 Stony Brook 102 A Boy's Song 105 Flowers in Rain 106 The Sheep 107 The Boy and the Sheep . . . 110 Study 112 The Lamp and the Sun . . . 113 The Blacksmith Shop .... 114 The Village Blacksmith . . 116 A Letter from Aunt Kate . . 118 The Lion and the Mouse . 121 The Mice in Council .... 123 Study 124 The Donkey and the Grass- 125 hopper 125 Two Little Girls 126 Page The Use of Flowers .... 129 The Children's Friends . . . 130 A Good Boy 132 My Vacation ....... 134 For Study Hours 136 For Word Study 137 The Squirrel 137 Beautiful Things 141 All Things Bright and Beau- tiful 142 The Crow and the Pitcher . 143 The Stag 145 Little Brown Hands .... 146 Help IN Studying "Little Brown Hands" 147 The Goat and the Boy . . . 148 The Fir Tree and the Bramble 149 The Charcoal Burner . . . 150 The Wolf and the Crane . . 151 A Faithful Friend 153 Seven Times One 155 Sound Table 157 Words which every Child should be able to spell 158 Words for Rhyming .... 159 The Alphabet 160 MASTERPIECES, AND ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOR. Paos The Eagle (color) 2 Young Kittens. (L. Knauss) . . 10 The Lark (color) 19 The Doll's Bath. (G. Igler) . . 24 Saved. (Sir Edwin Landseer) . . 31 Baby Robins in their Nest (color) 38 The Little Customers. (Mrs. H. P. Allingham) 49 The Daisy Field (color) .... 55 Mischief Brewing. (Wunsch) . . 60 The First Birthday. (Meyer von Bremen) 72 The Three Bears (color) ... 74 The American Flag (color) . . .91 The Twenty-third Psalm (color) 109 Paoi Return from the Mountain. (P. Girardet) Ill The Village Blacksmith. (J. F. Herring) 115 Henry W. Longfellow . . . 118 Henry W. Longfellow's Home IN Cambridge 120 The Lion at Home. (Rosa Bon- heur) 121 Fleur-de-Lis (color) 128 A Piper and a Pair of Nut Crackers. (Sir Edwin Land- seer) 139 On the Alert. (Rosa Bonheur) . 144 A Noble Charger. (Rosa Bonheur) 152 'V.; .,/.-i YOUNG KITTENS. L, Knouts. What Elsie found. Tell the story. .<^I^^ 'ASECOND I^ADER .J^^ CHICKEN LITTLE. Chicken Little was in a gentleman's garden, where she had no right to be, when a rose leaf fell on her tail. A way- she ran in great fright until she met Hen Pen. "0 Hen Pen!" she cried, "the sky is falling." "How do yon know that?" ^^^ asked Hen Pen. "Oh! 1 saw it with my eyes, and I heard it with my ears, and a part of it fell on my tail." "Let us run," said Hen Pen. So they ran to Duck Luck. "0 Duck Luck!" cried Hen Pen, " the sky is falling." "Pray, how do you know _ _^_* that?" asked Duck Luck. 12 A SECOND READER. '^ Chicken Little told me." "How do you know that, Chicken Little?" *'0h!" answered Chicken Little, "I saw it with my eyes, I heard it with my ears, and a part of it fell on my tail." ' Let us run," said Duck Luck. So they ran until they came to Goose Loose. "O Goose Loose!" cried Duck Luck, " the sky is ^vt ^^ / falling." b^ ^ y **How do you know that, Luck?" '' Hen Pen told me." ** How do you know that. Hen Pen?" "Chicken Little told me." "How do you know that. Chicken Little?" " Oh ! I saw it with my eyes, and I heard it with my ears, and a part of it fell on my tail." " Let us run," said Goose Loose. "^-^ A SECOND READER. IS So they ran until they met Turkey Lurkey. *' Turkey Lurkey ! " cried Goose Loose, '•'the sky is falling/' "How do you know timt, Goose Loose?* "Duck Luck told mu," "How do you know tliat, Duck Luck ? ^ "Hen Pen told nie/' "How do you know that, Hen Pen?" "Chicken Little told me." " How do you know that, Chicken Little?" "Oh! I saw it with my eyes, I heard it with my ears, and a part of it fell on my tail." "Let us run to tell the Queen/' said Turkey Lurkey. So they ran with all their might, until they met Foxy Loxy. 14 A SECOND READER. *^ Foxy Loxy ! " cried Turkey Lurkey, " the sky is falling." *' How do you know that 1 '* asked Foxy Loxy. ^' Goose Loose told me." ** How do you know that, Goose Loose ? " '' Duck Luck told me." A SECOND READER. 16 *'Howdo you know that, Duck Luck?" '' Hen Pen told me." ** How do you know that, Hen Pen ? " '' Chicken Little told me." ** How do you know that. Chicken Little?" ^^ Oh ! I saw it with my eyes, I heard it with my ears, and a part of it fell on my tail." "Come with me," said Foxy Loxy. **I will lead you to the Queen." So Chicken Little, Hen Pen, Duck Luck, Goose Loose, and Turkey Lurkey followed Foxy Loxy, as they had been told to do. But he led them into his den, and they never came out again. For Study. Study the pictures in the story of Chicken Little. What do they tell you? What do you know about ducks ? hens ? geese ? turkeys ? foxes ? laughed heard gentleman's asked fright cunning answered garden followed falling chicken turkey 16 A SECOND READER. KING MIDAS. I will tell you about Midas. He was a king who loved gold better than anything else. One day a fairy said to Midas, '' You may wish for some- thing, and you shall have your wish." " Hurrah ! " cried Midas. ^^ I wish that everything I touch may turn into gold. How happy I shall be ! " Poor Midas! He wanted to be rich. He touched a flower; it changed to solid gold. He touched an apple; it changed to gold. He tried to drink some water; it changed to gold. He wished to eat some meat. At his touch, it changed to gold. A SECOND READER. 17 At last, the saddest change came. He laid his hand on his little girl's head. , She changed to gold. Poor King Midas! No flowers, no food, no little girl! Nothing but gold! He sat down and wept. He hated gold. He cared only to have his dear little girl again. Now came the fairy. '^ Well, Midas, have you gold enough?" she asked. The poor king begged her to take away the power of gold- making, and to give his child D to him again. His tears fell like rain. They, fell on the golden head of his darling child, and she became his own happy little girl once more. Do you suppose he could ever again care so much for riches? 18 A SECOND READER. THE LARK'S NEST. The lark once built her nest m a meadow, where it was soon hidden hj the waving grain. Here she laid her tiny eggs, and kept them warm beneath her soft breast. Soon four little larks peeped from under her wings, crying to be fed. Now she must search far and near for food for these four hungry mouths. How busily the little mother flew back and forth, finding food for her little ones! They grew stronger and larger every day. When- ever they saw her, they lifted their heads and called lustily. One day they chattered in great fear, "0 mother! mother! Farmer Brown says he is going to get some one to cut his grain." ^^ Never fear, my children ; we are safely hidden away," answered the mother, cheerfully, as she flew off for another mouthful. A SECOND READER. 19 The next day the baby birds had the same story to tell. " O mother ! mother ! Farmer Brown says he is going to get some one to cut his grain, it is so tallJ' "Never fear, my children; we are safely hidden away/' said the mother, cheerfully, and she flew away again. The next night the little larks all chirjjcd together, " mother ! mother ! Farmer Brown says he must cut the grain himself to-morrow." " Ah ! " said the mother, "now we must be off, for the grain will be cut to-morrow/' And so it happened- The next morning. \ 20 A SECOND READER. early, Farmer Brown came with his sleeves rolled up and his scythe on his shoulder, to cut the grain. The little larks tried their young wings, and flew away. THE BLIND MAN AND THE LAME MAN. A blind man and a lame man sat under a tree. *' Where are you going ? " said the blind man to the lame man. '^ I would like to go to town," replied the lame man, '^ but I cannot walk." '^ I would like to go to town," said the blind man, '* but I cannot see." A SECOND READER. 21 "Well," the lame man said, "if you will be feet for me, I will be eyes for you." "Agreed," answered the blind man. So the blind man lifted the lame man upon his back, and started merrily for the town. " Look up, and not down ; Look forward, and not backward: Look out, and not in ; And lend a hand." VoRD Study. Think of words to rhyme with : — lark brown flew find grain teU saw food lame wing night away day cry must grew Use these words in sentences : — once safely search himself was cheerfully waving lark eggs mouthful grain farmer young lustily mother happened chattered hungry to-morrow hidden 2Z A SECOND READER. WW'' ''A talk talking feed feeding grow growing fall falling buy buying A MAID WITH HER BASKET OF EGGS. A maid with a basket of eggs. Hear her talking to herself. ^*I have fifteen eggs iu my basket. I will take them straight to my good white hen. She will sit upon them days and days, and keep them warm. A SECOND READER. 23 '* Then the fifteen little chickens will peck open the shells. I can see them now. Pretty little things; some black, some yellow, some white! ** I can hear them call ^ Peep, peep ! ' They will soon scratch for themselves. I will feed them well, and they will grow into strong, fat hens. ^^Then I will take them to market to sell. How much shall I get? Ah! I shall be quite rich. I can buy a fine hat and a dress. " My friends will not know me." She tosses . her head in pride, forgetting the eggs. The basket falls to the ground; the eggs are broken. She counted her chickens before they were hatched ! JLoAju UYV VnjuJyiLdJw 24 A SECOND READER. O. Igler THE doll's bath. Tell the story which the picture tells you. A SECOND READER. 86 THE OLD LOVE. tX crruju Jnxxxii (v MjyuXj X/Mw 6jMj, (LtaAd, \ui\Xj ^ X<>6Xj fYYuxv h^o-^^ aMaju oMj , djboAd, iXd cX kJioAAJtAj VYvViruj 1uaAj> orw (Loaj/, \AmAj cx (AuAjIpvJruAi rYYi&wVko/YV OJ wuiaV ,({iuoM, ID ui> Jc nru/mJxJ oouJiAj/A/nAj w\uAiU JmjU Xoav. CU (X JfiXxxriuAi invVkju y AjuAd QfYUJ (Loav. ilnrhdjAuAj oArYYid ITuxLcWv o- L/ruAjvu QxnM,6jioJib, \lp(^Al }uki /oxxaA) mx)t'1>ruy/IWJ^aaaJ,6jl<}M, r%t M>r rs KTxrsi.EY. 26 A SECOND READER. HERO. Hero is our dog, the best dog in the world we think. Here is a picture of him. See how large he is ! What a fine head he has! His name was Jack wlien he was a little fellow. Uncle Jack gave him to us when he went away. *^ Here, children ! " he said, ^^ here is a playfellow for you. I must go^ away to sea. I cannot play with you nor take care of you again for a long time. " But this fellow, this Jack, will take my place. He will play all the time, if you like. And he will help to take care of you, too." So he did. When we were out at play. Jack was with us. If we went to the woods for flowers, Jack went too. If we were sent to get the milk, Jack ran along. If we went to school. Jack went too, and lay down by the door until recess. A SECOND READER. 27 Everybody liked Jack, but Jack liked us best of aU. If any boy wanted to tease Jack, he played that he meant to hurt us. Then Jack would stay close beside us, and growl at him until he became afraid and stopped his fun. "Good Jack! good old fellow!" we would say, patting him upon the head. "We are safe when you are with us." S8 A SECOND READER. But I must tell you how we came to call him Hero. Baby May was playing in the yard. We were taking care of her, Helen and I. After a while we began to play tag. Of course May could not run fast, but she tried to play, because she liked to do what we did. She toddled after us, but we ran so fast that we were out of her sight before we knew it. We did not know what happened until afterwards. Baby toddled out into the road, and tried to follow us. She did not see the runaway horses that came rushing down the road toward her. She only saw Helen and me running away from her. On ran the horses ! They were our own, and father was holding the reins ; but the horses were mad with fear, and he could not guide them. Father saw Baby in the road. He shouted to her to run, but she only looked up, and stood still with fright in the middle of the road. The tramping feet were close upon our baby, but help was nearer yet. A SECOND READER. 29 Jack had heard the shout, he had seen little May, and he sprang to save her. With one bound he reached the middle of the road. He seized the baby's dress with his teeth, and dragged her out of the horses' path. The wheels touched her dress as they passed. The horses ran to the barn and stopped. Father sprang to the ground and ran back to find Baby. She was safe and sound, but crying with fear. Brave old Jack stood beside her, licking her hand, and trying to say, ^^ Don't be afraid; don't cry, I am here." You can see now why we changed Jack's name. Uncle Jack said we ought to call him Hero, because he saved Baby May's life. Nobody ever said anything to us about running away and leaving Baby; but how Helen and I wished that we had been as faithful as Hero! runaway dragged faithful tramping changed because toddled wished afraid 30 A SECOND READER. THE FOX AND THE GRAPES. *0\'#^-^"W^ By the side of the road is a beautiful tree. High up on the tree grows a beautiful vine. Upon the vine hang beautiful grapes. Mr. Fox comes along, smells the sweet grapes, and thinks, to himself, " I must have them." So he jumps and jumps and jumps ; but he cannot reach the grapes, for they hang very high. At last he becomes tired and walks off, saying to himself, ^^ I do not care ; I know they are sour grapes." Study. Grapes grow upon a vine. Apples grow upon a tree. Blueberries grow upon a bush. Grapes, apples, and berries are fruit. What fruits do you know? Write the names of aU you have seen. A SECOND READER. 31 Sir Edwin Landseer. SAVED. Tell the story which this ^picture tells you. Study. Amwer the questions. You have read the story of the good dog Hero. This fine- picture has told you another story. Can you not tell or write the story of some dog that you know? What kind of dog is he ? Where does he live ? What is his name ? What can he do ? 32 A SECOND READER. THE THREE BUGS. Three little bugs in a basket, And hardly room for two ; And one was yellow, and one was black. And one like me or you; The space was small, no doubt, for all; So what should the three bugs dol Three little bugs in a basket, And hardly crumbs for two ; And all were selfish in their hearts. The same as I or you. So the strong one said, ^' We will eat the bread. And that 's what we will do ! " Three little bugs in a basket. And the beds but two could hold ; And so they fell to quarreling — The white, the black, and the gold — And two of the bugs got under the rugs. And one was out in the cold. -i A SECOND READER. 33 He that was left in the basket Without a crumb to chew, Or a shred to wrap himself withal, When the wind across him blew. Pulled one of the rugs from one of the bugs, And so the quarrel grew. So there was war in the basket ; Ah ! pity 't is, 't is true ! But he that was frozen and starved, at last A strength from his weakness drew, And pulled the rugs from both the bugs, And killed and ate them, too! Now when bugs live in a basket. Though more than it well can hold, It seems to me they had better agree — The black, the white, and the gold — And share what come^ of beds and crumbs, And leave no bug in the cold. Alice Cart. Permission of HougJUon, Mifflin^ & Co. 34 A SECOND READER. 1 Midas gold fairy flower apple water horses hero U^e these words in sentences. 2 sweet rich sad little golden blind lame selfish 3 grow love drink change wept walk see said Find these words in " The Three Bugs^ Use them in sentences. 4 basket space crumbs hearts bread strength weakness quarrel agree selfish 5 hardly yellow no doubt quarreling shred across fro2*n starved pulled share 6 hold gold cold chew blew grew two do 't is true . drew A SECOND READER. 85 Study without help, THE KID AND THE WOLF. A little kid stood on the roof of a house. As he looked down, he saw a wolf passing by. " Oho ! " he cried, " who cares for the wolf?" The wolf smiled as he said, ''It is the roof that makes you so brave, my fine fellow. If you were in the field, how you would run ! " Help in Study pass o-ho smile passing oho smiled fell piece gave fellows field brave How did the roof make the little kid brave? Why is a kid afraid of a wolf? 36 A SECOND READER. THE FROG WHO TRIED TO BE AS BIG AS AN OX. Once upon a time a little frog, on his way from school, saw a great creature drawing a load of hay. He had never seen an ox before; so he ran to tell his mother. "0 mother!" he cried, *' I have seen a wonder- ful creature. It was as large, as large" — But he did not know how to tell. " As large as I am ? " said the mother. " Oh, much larger ! " answered the frog. "As large as this?" asked the mother, and she began to puff herself up. "Oh, much larger!" replied the little frog. "As large, then, as this?" said the mother, and puffed herself till she burst. It is indeed hard for a frog to become as big as an ox. mother wonder drawing other wonderful puffing A SECOND READER. 37 THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER. One pleasant day in summer an ant was hard at work getting food, which she laid away for winter. The grasshopper flew down beside her, and laughed to see her at her toil. '' I would not work like that," he said. "Why do you not have some fun, as I do ? " " And what is your fun?" asked the ant. " Oh, I dance ! " replied the grasshopper. Wiien winter came, the ant had her cellar full of food. The poor, shivering grasshopper had nothing to eat; so he came to the ant for help. " I danced the summer away, and now I have nothing to eat," he said. " If I had worked like you, I need not have been hungry." 33 A SECOND READER. BABY ROBINS IN THEIR NEST. A SECOND READER. 39 BIRD THOUGHTS. cil MxaAj, ojruu utmAj \j> mvoAju o-yyuxviKJ, — oJLcxAj cLd Qj oaaJu C/O/wJyU; 'X/ymw, ilmAj mjyxbVnjuAjJru^axi^tfc cxyiA/YhbVnM (y(y^ A SECOND READER. 67 GOLDEN EGGS. Once upon a time there lived a woman who owned a hen. This was a wonderful hen, indeed, for every day it laid a golden egg. The woman could hardly wait for the new day to come, she wanted the gold so badly. At last she said to herself, ^' I will kill ray hen and get the gold all at once." But when she had killed her hen, she found her like all other hens. In her haste to become rich, she had become poor. I am sure she wished she had not been so greedy. gold wonder hard want kill golden wonderful hardly wanted killed her wish greed own haste herself wished greedy owned hasten Study. Shut your hook, and tell the story about the Golden Eggs, 58 A SECOND READER. {Draw.) {Draw.) {Draw,) (Draw.) {Draw,) A SECOND READER. 59 THE DOG AND HIS IMAGE. Once upon a time, a dog found a large piece of meat. ^^ Ah," he said to himself, ^' that is fine ! I will take it home and eat it by myself. " So he ran off with it in his mouth. As he crossed the bridge over the brook, he looked down into the water and saw his image. He thought it was another dog with another piece of meat ; so he jumped into the water to get it. He dropped what he already had, and found too late that there was nothing to gain. He was pun- ished for being so greedy. 60 A SECOND READER. These words are in the story of Jack and Joe. Find them in the story. Copy them. See if you know them all. JACK AND JOE. Wunsch. MISCHIEF BREWING. twin brothers large city green grass played marbles around the square apple blossoms fresh air beautiful happened country very glad built a dam sailed boats new mown hay pastures berries beans and peas lettuce round and rosy A SECOND READER. 61 JACK AND JOE. Jack and Joe were twin brothers, aged six. They lived in a large city. There was no green grass near their house. Not a green tree grew near their home. They played marbles on the brick sidewalk, and ran races around the square. They had never seen a cow, nor a sheep, nor a robin. When spring came they never knew about the violets and apple blossoms. If you had told them about playing in the brook, they would have said, ^^What is a brook?" Jack and Joe had pale faces and thin cheeks. The fresh air and sunshine did not always find their way into the street where the boys lived. One June day a beautiful thing happened to Jack and Joe. A lady came to their mother, and said, — " Mrs. Brown, will you let your boys go out into the country with me, to stay a month? I will take good care of them." 62 A SECOND READER. The mother said, ^' Yes." She was very glad to have her boys see the country, where she lived when she was a little girl. So the boys went with the kind lady to her country home. 1 wish you had been there to see their good times ! They built a dam in the brook, and sailed their {Draw.) li^ti^ i3^^^g ^^^^^^ They fished in the pond, and tried to learn to swim. {Draw.) They went into the hayfield, and watched the men who mowed the tall grass. Jack and Joe helped to^ J ^ rake the new-mown hav, and at night they rode home on the top of a load of hay. They went into the pas- tures to pick berries. They drove the cows to the pas- ture in the morning, and {Draw.) went for them at night. {Draw.) What fun it was to follow them through the A SECOND READER. 63 country roads, — Old Brindle, and Brown Bess, and Betty Whiteface! Then what good times there were in the garden, where the corn grew with the beans and peas and radishes and lettuce! Jack and Joe could not tell the lettuce from corn at first, but they learned very fast. '' When 1 am a man," Jack said, ^' I shall live on a farm." When the boys went home, their cheeks were round and rosy. Can you tell why ? How happy the mother was! How happy the boys were ! But 1 think the kind lady was the happiest of all ! Kind hearts are the gardens, Kind thoughts are the roots, Kind words are the flowers, Kind deeds are the fruits. happy berries beans pasture happiest radishes lettuce country 64 A SECOND READER. THE WILD BIRD'S SONG. f T ride amid the green tree tops high When the earth is parched and the brooklets are dry — T sing, I sing, in my covert cool, And lave my breast in the calm, shady pool. I sing, I sing of my Maker's love Till the wanderer stops near my sheltered grove ; He hears the song in the quiet air. And, hearkening, he smiles, and forgets all his care. At night to my sheltering pine I fly, And sleep till the day dawn gilds the sky; Then loud I sing from a swelling breast. In praise of the God who protects my nest. -' _ Selected. A SECOND READER. 65 THE PLAYHOUSE. Kitty Jones and Mabel Miller have a playhouse under the old oak tree, I wish you could see it! They made it themselves. They found some stones in the old stone wall. ^^ They are just large enough," the children said, *^ to build our house." So they laid them on the ground. They marked out a parlor, a bedroom, and a kitchen. The kitchen had a closet with shelves. The acorn cups which the little girls found under the tree made beautiful cups for their closet shelves. Mabel brought some pieces of broken dishes, and stood them in a row on the shelves. The closet itself is made of shingles; its walls are of brick. If you look in the closet, you will find something else, — the loaves of bread, and cakes, and pies which the girls have made. Th^ are mud pies, of course; ee A SECOND READER. but that is the best kind of pie for this kind of playhouse. They have leaves for plates. Some of their dishes hold water, which they get at the brook. The bedroom has a bed in the corner. It is made of hay, which Mabel found in the barn. The hay is fresh and sweet, and makes a soft, clean bed. Kitty has covered the hay with a shawl, so that it will look more like a bed. She thinks she will have to lie down and rest soon, she has become so very tired in her house- building. The house has no roof except the branches of the tree overhead. It is very pleasant to live in when the sun shines. When it rains, the children have to run home and wait for pleasant days before they play ^^ house" again. Their mammas wait for their coming, and are glad to know they are such busy workers. The fresh air and happy work are making them grow very fast. Children grow like weeds in the sunshine. A SECJOND READER. 67 THE BOY AND THE NUTS. Once upon a time, a boy saw a pitcher of nuts standing upon a table. ''What fine nuts!" he cried. '' I must have some." So he thrust his hand into the pitcher ; but when he tried to draw out his fist, filled with nuts, the small neck of the pitcher held it fast. He began to cry. "What is the matter?" asked his father. '* 1 cannot^ get my hand out of the pitcher," the boy replied. ''Why not?" asked the father. Can you tell why? ^sii^ 68 A SECOND READER. THE TURTLE. When Jack and Joe were in the country, they found a turtle down in the meadow by a brook. They did not know what it was, ''It cannot be a fish," said Jack, " but it was {Draw.) swimming in the water," '' It cannot be a fish," said Joe, " for I saw it walking on the ground." " Its shell is like a tent," said Jack. " See, it draws in its head when you touch it." " See its scaly skin," cried Joe, " and its toes, and its funny tail ! " ''Let's take it home," Jack shouted. "We can keep it, and see what it does." "What will you give it to eat?" asked Joe. "Bread and butter," replied Jack.^ "That isn't what it eats here, I know," said Joe. " What does it eat, then ? " asked Jack. A SECOND READER. 60 That was too much. Joe could not answer that question. They picked up the turtle, and carried him home. "We can find out about him, if we watch," said Jack. Did you ever watch a turtle? If you have, you will know what Jack and Joe learned. If you have not, it will be of no use for me to tell you. Suppose you keep your eyes open, and see what they will do for you. Perhaps you can find a turtle, too. Study. Fill the Hanks, and answer the questions. Jack and Joe were They found a turtle in . It in the water. It on the ground. Its shell was Hke . Its skin was Where do turtles live? What can they do ? Why do they need a hard shell? 70 A SECOND READER. THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE. A lazy tortoise lay in the sun, and complained because her lot was hard. " See those birds," she said, '' that fly so lightly through the air. I wish I, too, had wings ! " An eagle flying near heard her complain. '' What will you give me," he asked, ^^if I will take you up in the sky?" '' More than tongue can tell," replied the tortoise. '' Say we try," said the eagle. ^^With all my heart!" an- swered the tortoise. So the eagle seized the heavy creature in his talons, and flew up into the clouds. But alas! the poor tortoise slipped from his grasp, A SECOND READER. 71 and fell to the ground, breaking her beautiful shell into many pieces. ^* Ah, fool that I was ! " cried the dying tortoise. ^^I was made to creep upon the earth, and not to fly in the air. I have my wish at the cost of my life." seized talons tongue dying creature tortoise slipped beautiful complained pieces breaking lightly THE WOUNDED EAGLE. An eagle flying through the air was wounded by # an arrow from the bow of a hunter. \ The king \ of birds fell to the ground, for the arrow "^ \ had entered his heart. ^ \ As the eagle % \ looked at the arrow, he saw that its shaft was \ tipped with his own feathers. "How hard is ^ my fate!" he moaned. "I helped to wing the arrow which kills me." 72 A SECOND READER. THE FIRST BIRTHDAY. Tell the story that the picture tells you. Mejfer wm Bremeik A SECOND READER. 73 SONG OF THE BROOK. CU vumAthJurw [mlLyw^AVid [aklovaw toim/ ? WonxJxl/n!^ ru^^yLujAJwt/yJkmjyur ? itt rYYuyhX/iAj/ dAXtruAJU oJ) cx unXi/ ; \Dru(' ojyxAj /nv 'S^ rffuaJiktu^^ \Xb / AxJuJruAi cLcruryv cx cvv. JuAd nmju, /j^ cA cmAxjAj oat. \3[JibtlumA0 ohnru^ cid AtAAJvrvVhju uAujlaj, Selected. 74 A SECOND READER. THE THREE liKARS. A SECOND READER. 76 THE THREE BEARS. Once upon a time there was a little girl named Golden Locks. Her eyes were blue as the sky, her cheeks were like the rose, and her hair was like spun gold. One day little Golden Locks ran into the woods to pick some flowers. She had not gone very far when she came to a path. She went on and on in the path until she came to a little house in the woods. It was the nicest little house in the world, with flowers growing about it, and with an open door that seemed to say, " Come in." Now I must tell you what Golden Locks did not know, — that this was the home of three bears. One was a Tiny Little Bear; one was a Middle' Sized Beae; and one was a GREAT HUGE BEAR. 76 A SECOND READER. It happened that the bears had gone out for a walk. When Golden Locks peeped in at the door she saw no one. So she walked into the little parlor and sat down in the GREAT HUGE BEAR'S chair, but it was so hard that she could not stay in it. Then she sat down in the Middle Sized Beae's chair, and it was so soft she could not stay in it. But she sat in the Tiny Little Bear's chair, and broke it all down ! Then she went into the next room, and there she saw three bowls of porridge. There was a tiny little bowl for the Tiny Little Bear, a middle sized bowl for the Middle Sized A SECOND READER. 77 Beae, and a great huge bowl for the GREAT HUGE BEAR. She tasted of the GREAT HUGE BEAR'S por- ridge. It was so cold she could not drink it. She tasted of the Middle Sized Bear's porridge. It was so cold she could not drink it. She tasted of the Tiny Little Bear's porridge, and it was so good she drank it all. Then she went up stairs into the chambers. There was a large room for the GREAT HUGE BEAR, a middle sized room for the Middle Sized Bear, and a tiny little room for the Tiny Little Bear. Golden Locks lay down on the GREAT HUGE BEAR'S bed, but it was so hard she could not lie on it. Then she lay on the Middle Sized Bear's bed, but it was so soft she was afraid to lie on it. But when she lay down on the Tiny Little Bear's bed, she fell fast asleep. After a while the bears came home. " Who has been sitting in my chair ? " growled the GREAT HUGE BEAR in a very rough voice. 78 A SECOND READER. *^ Who has been sitting in my chair?" shouted the Middle Sized Bear in a rather loud voice. And the Tiny Little Bear cried, ^*Who has been sitting in my chair, and broken it all down 1 " Then the bears went into the next room. The GREAT HUGE BEAR growled in a very rough voice, *' Somebody has been tasting of my porridge ! " Then the Middle Sized Beae shouted in a rather loud voice, *' Somebody has been tasting of my porridge ! " But the Tiny Little Bear cried, " Somebody has been tasting of my porridge, and has drank it all up ! " Then the bears went up stairs. The GREAT HUGE BEAR looked into his room, and growled in a very rough voice, ^^ Somebody has been lying on my bed ! " The Middle Sized Beae looked into her room, and shouted in her rather loud voice, " Somebody has been lying on my bed ! " But the Tiny Little Bear cried, " Somebody has been lying on my bed, and there she goes ! " A SECOND READER. 79 For little Golden Locks had been awakened by the very rough voice of the GREAT HUGE BEAR. She was so frightened that she jumped through the window. Happily she was not hurt. When Tiny Little Bear saw her she was running toward home, her golden hair flying in the wind. Word Study for Pages 73-79. Use these words in sentences. brook tiny rough daisies happened afraid willows porridge growled starry-eyed huge rather golden bowls happily THE HARE AND THE HOUND. k hare was chased by a hound, but ran so fast that the hound could not catch him. " Ho, ho ! " said the dog's master, " the little fellow runs faster than you do." " Yes," said the hound ; " I only ran for my dinner, but he ran for his life." 80 A SECOND READER. • ■ ... — ! . THE CRANE AND THE CROWS. A farmer sowed his field in the spring, but the crows came to pick up the seed. Then the farmer spread some nets in order to catch them. One morning he found a number of crows en- tangled in the net. With them was a crane who had broken his leg in the tangled cords. '* Oh, pray, Mr. Farmer," cried the crane, " do not kill me! See, my leg is broken. Besides, 1 am a crane. Everybody knows me to be a good bird. See, I do not look like a crow." But the farmer laughed and said, '* You may be a fine fellow, but you are traveling with the crows, and you must die with them. I have always been told that birds of a feather flock together." A SECOND READER. 81 THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE. Once upon a time a country mouse asked a town mouse to make him a visit. ' Now the country mouse lived in a broad plowed field, and made his dinner on the wheat stalks and the roots which he found in the hedges. The town mouse thought this was very hard fare. 82 A SECOND READER. "Why do you live here in the field," he asked, " and work so hard to get your scanty dinner ? In my town house I have all that heart could wish. Come with me, and I will show you what a mouse should eat." Then she smacked her lips, and the hungry country mouse felt hungrier than ever, and gladly promised to visit her friend in town. So they set out together, and soon came to the house where the town mouse lived. Then did the country mouse have a feast! Never before had she tasted such dainties as the town mouse set before her, — bread, barley, peas, figs, honey, raisins, and, best of all, a fine piece of cheese. The country mouse could hardly believe her eyes. She ate with great delight. " You spoke truly," she said to the town mouse ; " my fare is poor indeed' beside yours." But just then the cook opened the door of the pantry, and away they ran as fast as they could, and hardly escaped a blow which the cook aimed at them with a broom. So it happened day after day. A SECOND READER. '83 Although the pantry shelves were filled with the finest food, they were frightened away whenever they tried to get their dinner. At last the country mouse almost died of hunger. She said to the town mouse, — " I thank you for your kindness, but I must leave you to enjoy your feast yourself. " My fare in the furrows may be poor and hard, but there, at least, I can dwell in safety." For Study. Write the ten hardest words. Write the words in sentences. What do you know about a mouse? Where do mice live? How do they get into the pantry? What do you know about their teeth? What do you know about their feet ? * What do mice like to eat? What harm do mice do in the house? Did you ever see a cat catch a mouse? Tell about it. Ask your teacher to read to you the "Story of the Pied Piper." 84 A SECOND READER. LADY MOON. " Lady Moon, Lady Moon, where are you roving ? " "Over the sea." " Lady Moon, Lady Moon, whom are you loving ? " "All that love me." " Are you not tired with rolling, and never Resting to sleep ? Why look so pale and so sad, as forever Wishing to weep ? " " Ask me not this, little child, if you love me : You are too bold. I must obey my dear Father above me, And do as I'm told." Lord Houghton. A SECOND READER. 86 THE WIND AND THE SUN. The wind and the sun had a quarrel. Each said he was stronger than the other. At last they agreed to try their strength upon a man who walked in the road. ^' If I can make him take off his cloak first, then I am the stronger," said the wind ; '' and if you succeed first, then you are the stronger." So the wind blew harder and harder. It tugged at the cloak, but the man drew it closer about him, bent his head to the blast, and went on his way. Then it was the sun's turn to try. He sent his warm rays down upon the man's back and shoulders. Soon the man unfastened his cloak; then threw it back. Still the warm rays beat upon him. At last he took off" his cloak and walked on, carrying it upon his arm. quarrel strength close shoulders blast succeed closer carry agreed tugged fastened unfastened 86 A SECOND READER. THE TWO BUCKETS. Our fathers, when they wanted to drink, went to the brook, where the clear, cool water ran over the stones. If there was no brook near their homes, they dug deep holes in the ground, and lined them with large stones. Soon this deep hole would be nearly full of fresh, cold water. Then they made buckets with which to draw the water up where they could reach it. A SECOND READER. 87 How. good it was, in the hot summer days, to drink the clear, cold, sparkling water from the well! Can you see the well house in the picture, and the wheel over which the rope passes? A bucket is fastened to each end of the rope. When one bucket is pulled down, down, down, it dips, and is filled with the fresh water. Then we pull hard at the rope, which passes over the wheel or pulley. This pulls up the bucket, dripping and brimming with water. The other bucket goes down as the first bucket comeS up. Would you like to draw water at a well? Here is a story about two buckets. As they passed each other in the well, one bucket said to the other, ''Oh, dear! No matter how full I am when I come up, I always go back empty." But the other bucket laughed and replied, '' 1 was just thinking that no matter how empty I am when I go down, I always come back full." This story makes me think of some boys and girls. Can you tell me why? 88 A SECOND READER. THE BRIGHT SIDE. Nanny has a hopeful way, — Bright and sunny Nanny! When I cracked the cup to-day, She said, in her hopeful way, "It's only cracked; don't fret, I pray." Sunny, cheery Nanny! Nanny has a hopeful way. So good, and sweet, and canny; When I broke a cup to-day. She said, in her hopeful way, " Well, 't was cracked, I 'm glad to say," Kindly, merry Nanny! Nanny has a hopeful way, — Quite right, little Nanny; Cups will crack and break alway. Fretting doesn't mend nor pay; Do the best you can, I say, Busy, loving Nanny! Algernon Tassin. Permission of '* St. Nicholas." A SECOND READER. 89 For Study. Use thefollovring words in sentences : — 1 2 8 crane country delight crows wheat stalks escaped farmer hedges aimed tangled hard fare kindness flock feast furrows in order to dainties safety 4 5 6 roving quarrel bucket loving agreed water rolling succeed empty wishing blast dripping never rays brimming forever tugged thinking Write words which rhyme with the following : way child look fret bold flock mend weep fly best sad spring 90 A SECOND READER. AMERICA. V _. . ... / joXrutXb (^ajAj , X-^ — ' crvrv A^i/nx} jJvwnvourrw ol JLcnyu ; A/ycJks omAjJuJuid. [A^iIlK' AyoJpXuAjuVhvdM vtvoXf oJrcnyv . . Jo-a Samuel F. Smith. A SECOND READER. 91 '.* * * * * •; ilV * * » * V *\* « ♦ *♦ - !.et music swell tb\ breeze^ And ring from all tBe trees Sweet freedom's song Let mortal tongues awaE^ Let all that breathe partalJ^; Let rocks their silence break^ — The so mid prolong. Tbhuj stanza of '' Amkrica/ 92 A SECOND READER. THE BUNDLE OF STICKS. Once upon a time there lived a good old man who had four sons. These sons had not learned to be good ; they often quarreled with one another. This made their father's heart ache. One day he called them to him. In his hand he held a bundle of sticks. '' Here, my boys," he said, ** try to break this bundle of sticks for me." Each one tried with all his might, but the sticks were too stout for him. Then the father untied the bundle, gave each one a stick, and asked him to break it ; this he could easilv do. '' See, my sons," the old man said, '^ the stick is easily broken when it is alone, but the bundle you could not harm. In union is strength." A SECOND READER. " 93 THE WATER DROPS. Some little drops of water, Whose home was in the sea, To' go upon a journey Once happened to agree. A cloud they had for a carriage, They drove a playful breeze, And over town and country They rode along at ease. But oh ! they were so many. At last the carriage broke, And to the ground came tumbling These frightened little folk. And through the moss and grasses They were compelled to roam. Until a brooklet found them. And carried them all home. Selected, 94 - A SECOND READER. THE CHILDREN OF THE CLOUDS. The Clouds have four children ; we know them well. Rain is the oldest child. Sometimes he is naughty and rude. He fills the rivers so full that they run over their banks, and tear up the fields. He beats against the wmdows and clatters on the roof. Sometimes he is mild and gentle. Then he gives water to the thirsty flowers, and cools the dusty streets. Snow is Rain's sister. She spreads a soft, warm blanket over, the bare, brown woods and fields, and keeps the little seeds warm all winter. She loves boys .and girls ; they like to play with her. Hail is Rain's brother. He is a spoiled child. He comes with a whirl of wind, and breaks windows for fun. Dew is the baby, the darling. He sprinkles diamonds on the flowers and grass every night. A SECOND READER. 95 In winter he becomes mischievous; he pinches our fingers and toes and paints pictures on our window panes. Then we call him Frost. Rain, Snow, Hail, and Dew are the chil- dren of the Clouds. Their grandfather is Old Ocean. They often go to visit him, trav- eling many ways. They run through dark and hidden chan- nels in the ground, or lose themselves with their mates in the mighty rivers. When they have stayed long enough with their grandfather Ocean, they ride merrily home upon a sunbeam. 96 A SECOND READER. THE BIRDS' CHRISTMAS TREE. There had been a Christmas tree in the par- lor; a iiue tir tree that reached to the ceilmg. Kate and EiBe, and Sue and Tom, and Harry and Don, had a happy time Christmas Day, for the tree was laden with gifts for them all. Skates, and sleds,, and balls, and books for the boys ; dolls, and books, and sleds, and skates for the girls, — that wonderful tree had borne on its branches. Now all the beautiful gifts had been taken from A SECOND READER. 97 the tree, and John had come to carry it into the woodshed. ''What will you do with it, John?" the children asked. '' I shall cut it into firewood," answered John. "Oh, don't!" cried the children. ''Our beautiful tree! Let us have it a little longer!" " What can you do with it ? " asked John. " We will put it in the yard and make a Christmas tree for the birds," replied the children. So John carried the fir tree into the yard. There it stood in the white snow, spreading out its beautiful green branches. "Now," cried Effie, "let us make some baskets to hold seeds and crumbs. Then we will tie them to the tree for the birds. I know John will give us some corn and oats from the barn." The children worked busily for maiiy an hour, making the little baskets for the birds. They tied the baskets to the branches of the fir tree. Then they filled them with crumbs and corn and oats. 98 A SECOND READER. I wish you could have seen the birds ! The sparrows came in flocks. The doves flew down for their share. Even the saucy blue jay for- got to be saucy. When he had eaten his fill he flew away, crying *^ Thanks, thanks!" The children did not forget their birds. Every morning that winter they filled the baskets or tied bread crusts to the branches of the Christmas tree. It .would be hard to tell which were happier, the birds or the children. I believe the tree was the happiest of all. A SNOW SONG. There's a wonderful weaver High up in the air, And he weaves a white mantle For cold earth to wear. With the wind for his shuttle,. The cloud for his loom, How he weaves, how he weaves, In the light, in the gloom ! A SECOND READER. 99 Oh, with finest of lace He decks bush and tree! On the broad, flinty meadows A cover lays he; Then a quaint cap he places On pillar and post, And he changes the pump To a grim, silent ghost. But this wonderful weaver Grows weary at last. And the shuttle lies idle That once flew so fast. Then the sun peeps abroad On the work he has done. And cries, "I'll unravel it all. Just for fun ! " Selected. For Study. Draw the Snowflakes. 100 A SECOND READER. THE MERCHANT AND HIS DONKEY. Once upon a time, a merchant was traveling toward the town with his donkey, upon whose back were two heavy bags of salt. IB^ -.^^%&7'^i7hm As they crossed a stream on their way to town, the donkey stumbled and fell into the water. Before he could get up the salt dissolved, and when he rose to his feet his load was light. A SECOND READER 101 The merchant turned back again and bought a new load. Again they came to the stream. This time the donkey stumbled on purpose, and again rose with a light load. But the merchant knew that his donkey was play- ing him a trick. He went again to the city and bought a load of sponges, which he tied upon the donkey's back. Again they reached the stream, and again the cun- ning donkey fell into the water. The sponges rapidly filled with water. When the donkey arose to his feet, he found the weight of his load was doubled. He had tried to cheat his master, but he had cheated himself. Put some salt into a glass of water. Stir it. What hap- pens to the salt? Put some sugar into a glass of water. Stir it. What happens to the sugar? Put some sand into a glass of water. Stir it. What happens to the sand? 102 A SECOND READER. Put some sawdust into a glass of water. Stir it. What happens to it? Does sand dissolve in water ? Does sugar ? Does salt? Does sawdust? Soak a dry sponge in water. Take it out. Lift it. What has happened? Write what you have learned. STONY BROOK. If you are a little boy or girl about seven or eight years old, you well may wish that you could live at Stony Brook. Why'? Because the children who live at Stony Brook have the happiest times in the world. I know, because I lived there when I was a little boy. That was a long time ago. I was eight years old then. I went to school in the little red schoolhouse near the pine woods. Ben Bright went, too, and Polly Clark. A SECOND READER. 103 The pine trees grew close beside the schoolhouse windows. When the windows were open we could heiar the birds singing in the trees. . Down behind the school yard was a brown brook. We played there at noon and at recess. We waded in the brook and tried to catch the fish that swam in the clear water. Sometimes, when we were very good, our teacher let us study under the trees. Polly played that she was teacher, and heard us read. Then we spelled all the hard words we knew. When our lessons were done, Ben and I made whistles from the willow stems, and Polly made wreaths out of the oak leaves. After school we went down to the meadow for violets. Such sweet violets grew in that meadow! In the spring we found mayflowers in the pine woods. In the fall we gathered nuts. In the winter we made snow forts and coasted on the hill behind the school- house. 104 A SECOND READER. All the year round we were as happy as birds, Ben and Polly and I. Any child would be happy if he lived in Stony Brook. played violets happy spelled mayflowers happiest gathered whistles meadow coasted willow wreaths heard windows recess lived teacher sometimes tried study winter A SECOND READER. 106 A BOY'S SONG. Where the pools are bright and deep, Where the gray trout lies asleep, Up the river and o'er the lea, That 's the way for Billy and me. Where the blackbird sings the latest. Where the hawthorn blooms the sweetest. Where the nestlings chirp and flee. That's the way for Billy and me. Where the mowers mow the cleanest. Where the hay lies thick and greenest; There, to trace the homeward bee, That's the way for Billy and me. Where the hazel bank is steepest, Where the shadow falls the deepest. Where the clustering nuts fall free. That's the way for Billy and me. James Hogg, The Ettrick Shepherd. 106 A SECOND READER. [/Yv Rcu/w. o And now at last the sun is going Down behind the wood, And I am very happy, For I know that I've been good. My bed is waiting cool and fresh. With linen smooth and fair, And I must off to Sleepsin-by, And not forget my prayer. I know that till, to-morrow, I see the sun arise, No ugly dream shall fright my mind, No ugly sight my eyes. But slumber hold me tightly Till I waken in the dawn. And hear the thrushes singing In the lilacs round the lawn. Robert Louis Stevenson. Permission of Charles Scribner*s Sons. Copy. 134 A SECOND READER. MY VACATION. When June comes, vacation begins. And when vacation begins, I go to my uncle's farm in the country. Uncle George likes to have me at the farm. Aunt Mary says she likes it, too. They say, ^' How good it seems to have a boy around, — and Joe is such a good boy!" That means me. Uncle George lets me help him. I drive old Kate, and Brown Betty, and Black Bess to the pasture every morning. Black Bess wears a bell, because she often gets out of the pasture and runs away. But her bell rings every step she takes. I think it tries to say, ^'Here's Black Bess, here's Black Bess ! " A SECOND READER. 136 I wonder if it makes her ashamed. The pasture is a fine place for boys. It is a large field where the grass is soft and green ; a pretty brown brook runs through it. It sings as it runs. I like to play in the brook. Bess stands knee-deep in the cool water. You would like the berries that grow in the pas- ture. They are as blue as the sky. Sometimes 1 carry a pail when I drive the cows to pasture. I try to bring it home full of berries. Then Aunt Mary gives me a bowl of berries and railk. Wouldn't you like to spend your vacation on a farm ? Ask your teacher to tell you about the poet Whittier, and to read you some of his poems. He lived in the country, and loved the birds, and trees, and brooks. Whittier wrote a beautiful poem called " The Barefoot Boy," which tells us of his boyhood. I know you will like it. I think you could learn to recite the poem. Perhaps some of you will soon learn to read it. 136 A SECOND READER. 'V '■ , For Study Hours. Write answers to the questions. 1. Where have you seen squirrels? 2. What was their color ? 3. What was their covering ? 4. What were they doing ? 5. What can a squir- rel do that you cannot do? 6. What can a squir- rel do that a dog cannot do? 7. What is the squir- rel's food? 8. What do you know about his teeth ? 9. Why does the squirrel need such teeth? 10. What do you know about his life in the winter? 11. What do you know about the squirrel's work in the summer ? X A SECOND READER. 137 For Word Study. overhead breakfast laughed upright merrily nimble acorn topmost another nibble lightning hungry sometimes yesterday blanket THE SQUIRREL. One day, as little Louise played by the ^ lake, she heard a sound in the tree overhead, '' Chip, chip, chip, — look here ! look here ! " She looked up and saw a gray squirrel sitting on the bough of a tree. '^ Chip, chip," he called again, *' look here ! look here ! " He was a beautiful gray squirrel. He sat upright on the bough, and held an acorn in his paws. His long bushy tail was as broad as his back, and it curled at the end in a fine way. He nibbled the acorn with his sharp teeth. The acorn was held in his little paws. Sometimes he stopped eating a moment and looked at Louise with his bright black eyes. 138 A SECOND READER. She sat very still on the sand. She knew the squirrel would leap out of sight if she went toward him. ^' I like you, little squirrel," she said in a soft voice. '' Chip, chip, chip," answered the squirrel. That meant, '^ I like you, too." *^ Do you like acorns to eat ? " asked little Louise. *^I think bread and milk are better than acorus for breakfast." Then the squirrel laughed merrily, '' Chip, chip, chip chip, chip." He wanted to say, '' What an odd girl you are ! Don't you know that squirrels are made to eat acorns, and acorns are made for squirrels to eat?" He laughed so hard that his acorn fell from his paws. Then, quick as lightning, he leaped up to the topmost bough of the tree. ** Oh, oh, oh ! " cried little Louise, *^ I wish I could jump like that. How can you run up a tree so fast? Yesterday, I saw you run down just as fast." Then the squirrel laughed again, ''Chip, chip, chip! " That was to say, ''What a silly little girl! My A SECOND READER. 139 Sir Edwin, Landseer, A PIPER AND A PAIR OF NUTCRACKERS. 140 A SECOND READER. feet were made to climb trees. You* have no sharp claws like mine." Then he leaped across to another tree and ran out of sight, to show Louise how fast he could go. When sunset came, Louise liked to sit in her mother's lap and talk about the day. She told her mother about the little gray squirrel. ^^He is my little friend," said Louise. " I wish I could take him home with me." '* I think you love him too well to do that," replied hqr mamma. "The squirrel loves to live in the (Draw.) woods. God gave him shai-p teeth to gnaw stems and to nibble nuts. " He gave him nimble feet for leaping, and sharp claws for climbing. " He taught him how to make a home in a hollow tree for himself and his little ones." " But he will be cold when winter comes," said little Louise, '* and he will have nothing to eat." A SECOND READER. 141 " Oh ! " said mamma, ** his fur coat keeps him warm. He hides in the hollow tree and wraps his bushy tail around him like a blanket. ^^ All the fall he will be busy gathering acorns. ** He will hide them away to eat in the winter. ''He will not be hungry. Our good Father pro- vides food for him, you see." The next time Louise saw the squirrel, she cried, *' You are my little friend. I know who takes care of you." BEAUTIFUL THINGS. Beautiful ground on which we tread, Beautiful sky above our head, Beautiful sun that shines so bright, Beautiful stars with ghtteriag hght, Beautiful summer, beautiful sprbig, Beautiful birds that merrily sing, Beautiful lily, beautiful rose. Beautiful every flower that grows, Beautiful trees and woods so green, Beautiful buds and blossoms seen, Beautiful every little blade. Beautiful aU that God has made! Selected. 142 A SECOND READER. '^^^ _. ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL. VU things bright and beautiful, \11 creatures great and small, :U1 things wise and wonderful, — The Lord God made them all. Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings, — He made their glowing colors. He made their tiny wings. The imrplt^-ht^arled mountain, The river miming by. The morning, and the sunset That lightctli up the sky, The tall trees in the greenwood, The pleasant summer sun. The ripe fruits in the garden, — He made them every one. He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell How great is God Almighty, Who hath made all things well. JoHX Kkble. A SECOND READER. 143 Study silently. Read without help. THE CROW AND THE PITCHER. A thirsty crow found a pitcher which held a little water, but the neck of the pitcher was so long that the water was beyond his reach. What could he do? He tried to break the pitcher, but it was too strong. He tried to push it over, but it was too heavy. At last he took a stone in his bill and dropped it into the pitcher. Then another, and another, and another. The water became higher, and at last he was able to reach it. Where there is a will, there is a way. other drop where another dropped there pitcher beyond could 144 A SECOND READER. Rosa Bonheur. ON THE ALERT. A SECOND READER. 145 THE STAG. A stag once came to a pool of water, where he stopped to drink. The pool was so quiet that it seemed like a mirror. In it, he saw the picture of himself. '' How fine and beautiful are my horns ! " he said ; " but I am ashamed of my slender legs." While he was looking at himself, a hungry Hon came from the woods. The lion was about to spring upon the stag and eat him ; but the slender legs which the stag had despised bore him away in safety. He easily ran over the plain, and was almost out of reach of the lion when he entered a wood. Then the horns which had been his pride caught in the branches of a tree; before he could escape, the lion seized and killed him. As he saw death near, the poor beast cried, '' Woe is me ! I scorned the feet which would have saved me, and took pride in the antlers which have brought me to my death." 146 A SECOND READER. m 4* * ^ ^.ii LITTLE BROWN ^ HANDS- They drive home the cows from the pasture, Up through the long shady lane, Where the 'quail whistles loud in the wheat fields That are yellow with ripening grain. They toss the new hay in the meadow, They gather the elder blooms white. They find where the dusky grapes purple In the soft-tinted October light. A SECOND READER. 147 They wave from the tall rocking tree top, Where the oriole's hammock nest swings; And at night they are folded in slumber By a song that a fond mother sings. Those who toil bravely are strongest, The humble and poor become great, And so from these brown-handed children Shall grow mighty rulers of state. The pen of the author and statesman. The noble and wise of the land. The sword and the chisel and palette Shall be held in the little brown hand. M. H. Krout. Help in Studying "Little Brown Hands." Read silently, A lane is a narrow road in the country. It is often only a wide grassy path. A quail is a wild bird, something like a hen. It is brown like dry leaves. Its note sounds like a whistle. " Elder blooms " are the white blossoms of the elder bushes. The boys are the first to find where the grapes ripen in October. These grapes are purple when ripe. The oriole or hangbird builds his nest "on the tree top." 148 A SECOND READER. THE GOAT AND THE BOY. A rough boy was sent to take care of a flock of goats. One day he left his work, to play in the field, and one of the goats strayed from the flock. When the boy came back he whistled and blew his horn, but the goat did not heed. Becoming angry, the boy threw a stone at the truant. The hard stone struck one of the goat's horns, and broke it. " Dear me," cried the boy, " what have I done ? I did not mean to hurt you! Pray do not tell my master." " I do not need to tell," said the goat ; *' my horn will speak if I hold my tongue. Wrong doing cannot be hidden." strayed truant wrong doing whistled A SECOND READER. 149 THE FIR TREE AND THE BRAMBLE. A fine fir tree stood in the forest, lifting its head above all the other trees. At its feet grew a rough bramble. ^'Why were you ever bornl" said the fir tree. ** You are good for nothing at all. But I, you must know, am good for many things. From my wood, men build houses and barns. I am needed for winter fires. My boughs make the hunter's bed. I am very great, and yoir are very small. I am use- ful to the world. You are good for nothing." The bramble answered, "But when the ax comes to cut' you down, will you not wish that you were a bramble ? " 150 A SECOND READER. THE CHARCOAL-BURNER. A charcoal-burner lived by himself. Near his house was the pit where he burned his charcoal. One day he met his friend, who was a fuller. *^ Good morning, friend," said the charcoal-burner, *^I was just thinking about you. "Will you not come and live with me? We can have such good times together, and together we can live more cheaply than alone." ''Thank you," replied the fuller, "but that will never do ; for all the cloth which I make white, your charcoal will soon make black." A SECOND READER. 151 THE WOLF AND THE CRANE. Do you know the wolf? He is a fierce fellow; his sharp teeth are always ready to seize young lambs or frightened deer. Do you know the crane? He is a tall bird with long, thin legs and a long, shapely neck and bill. Once upon a time a wolf ate a chicken, and a little bone stuck in his throat. He could not dislodge it. It gave him great pain, and he was like to die. He sent for the crane and promised him a large sura of money if he would draw out the bone. The willing creature easily removed it with his long bill. " Now, oflf with you ! " growled the wolf. "But you have not paid me," said the crane. "Silly fellow,", answered the wolf, "were you not paid with your life? You have drawn your head in safety from the mouth of a wolf." No wolf can be trusted to be kind. 162 A SECOND READER. Rota Bonheur. A NOBLE CHARGER. A SECOND READER. 153 A FAITHFUL FRIEND. I hope every child in this class knows and loves a horse. Some of our most faithful friends are animals. The horse is the most faithful and most loving of them all. Look this fine fellow in the face! See his clear, honest eye, his noble head! You may be sare his master can depend upon him to do his best. I once knew a boy who was sent to carry a message to a town which was miles away. He was a little fellow, not more than eight years old ; but he had lived all his life on a farm, and could ride a horse well. So he mounted old Gray without fear, and rode ofi* to the distant town. The way was long and the road was hard, but he did not care for that. He rode on as he had been told, and reached the town a little after noon. After giving his message he rested awhile, and then started for home. Dark clouds had gathered in the sky. The wind 164 A SECOND READER. almost blew him from his seat, and soon the blinding snow was driving through the air. He lost his way, and as night came on he found himself far from home, upon a strange road in the woods. What could he do'^ No one came to help. He shouted. No one heard. At last he thought, '' Father said, 'Give the horse his head, and he will always take you home.' " He patted old Gray on the neck, and spoke in his ear. ** I am lost, old fellow; take me home." The horse pricked up his ears, turned around, and trotted off as fast as he could through the woods. The boy let him choose his own way, and he carried him safely home through the storm. How glad the father was when his boy reached home ! You may be sure that old Gray was well rewarded for his faithfulness. mount blind faithful depend mounted blinding animal message gather pat honest distant gathered patted noble through A SECOND READER. 165 SEVEN TIMES ONE. There 's no dew left on the daisies and clover, There's no rain left in heaven: I ve said my " seven times " over and over ; Seven times one are seven. I am old, so old, I can write a letter; My birthday lessons are done ; The lambs play always, they know no better; They are only one times one. ?^ moon! in the night I have seen you sailing And shining so round and low; You were bright, ah, bright! but your light is failing, — You are nothing now but a bow. You moon, have you done something wrong in heaven That God has hidden your face? I hope, if you have, you will soon be forgiven, And shine again in your place. * 166 A SECOND READER. velvet bee, you 're a dusty fellow, You've powdered your legs with gold! brave marsh mary-buds, rich and yellow. Give me your money to hold! columbine, open your folded wrapper. Where two twin turtle doves dwell! cuckoopint, toll me the purple clapper That hangs in your clear green bell ! And show me your nest with the young ones in it, — I will not steal them away; I am old ! you may trust me, linnet, linnet — I am seven times one to-day. Jean Ingelow FiTid the rhymes for : — clover sailing away face one fellow light bow heaven gold failing seven better clapper dwell over wrapper place to-day bell A SECOND READER. 167 SOUND Makks which help to Kate Ada apple cat a a a a a arm all care large ball fare 6 6 er fern Edith even egg wet letter ice ink light fni o over gold 5 box top 6 h8rse cord u use June u up sun u pull full y by try f baby Kitty TABLE. PRONOUNCE New Words. oy boy toy ow cow town ou sound out oi toil voice au caught oo food soon do . look took ee feel see u rude qu queen quick ch chip chick wh whip when sh ship shut th this with th think thin 158 A SECOND READER. Words which every child should be able to spell. what were these lame which how those sat when while out arm where every down all your very some care sure who care about was whom with any are hear eyes egg could heard ears her would through mouth ice should ' seven nose it there four tongue bird this three teeth over once five much off again one more good cannot six most use they two never up all twelve indeed fur from nine water by said eight next many 1. Use the words in sentences. 2* Pronounce the words in the list, rapidly and clearly. A SECOND READER. 169 WoEDS FOR Rhyming. pra^ sat lark goat Ull take look mouse must care hush kid sweet ]ump can stove grow small scratch cent wish grew iound shine gold \jown Zack lake will ride ^ad mark drink long run meat kinff hear hoy chair came cut iun ieet child cup try get Use these words in sentences. laugh mouse weather flower wolf eagle bear daisy crow turtle chicken breeze pitcher country fox sponge crane lettuce river weaver lark clover merchant Christmas doll meadow woodman cunning lion brook fairy bucket 160 A SECOND READER. Jlw OJhKahti \Jj OJ Bl C cy jOd. O JU '31 j4^ Jnj Iju \i J6jey SjJb Wh rrrv \\j rru Ocy p^ ^°{ B^ Aji Jyb \h AJU Vnr Waat JO ay 1/ ru/ ?T i:2.3i+5loTS'qo This book should be returned to the Library on or before the last date stamped below. A fine is incurred by retaining it beyond the specified time. Please return promptly. 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